LASIK Side Effects

Side effects are not the same thing as complications. All surgeries have both. Side effects are minor and temporary and will resolve during your recovery period or shortly after. Before your LASIK surgery, your eye doctor will explain the typical side effects so that you can understand and accept them.

The early LASIK procedures, now known as Traditional LASIK, had more side effects than the more sophisticated Custom LASIK. That was because the diagnosis done before the procedure was less accurate – it was the same diagnosis that is done for glasses and contact lenses. Custom LASIK involves Wavefront technology to diagnose your eyes more precisely, which enables a more precise vision correction.

Dry Eyes

Temporarily dry eyes are the most common LASIK side effect. Your LASIK surgeon will prescribe moisturizing eyedrops for you to use as needed. Typically the dryness will resolve itself within a few weeks.

Light Sensitivity

This is another common side effect and you may want to rub your eyes to try and relieve it. It is important not to rub or press on your eyes because the corneal flap needs to heal and you could dislodge it by rubbing your eyes. Your LASIK surgeon would be able to reposition it, but by not touching your eyes you can avoid that necessity. Light sensitivity will disappear within a few days of your procedure.

Night Vision Problems

With the Custom LASIK procedure there is less likelihood of this side effect. Sometimes it can occur if the corneal flap does not heal correctly. If this happens your LASIK surgeon can reposition the flap for better healing.

Slight loss of contrast perception may make it harder to pick out objects in low lighting conditions. This usually resolves within a few months. Other specific night vision problems are such things as:

Glare from light sources
Halos around light sources
Starbursts – spiky light shapes around light sources

Temporary Loss of Visual Clarity

This side effect is very rare. It can be caused by the LASIK flap forming tiny wrinkles or folds which give you blurry vision. It may resolve by itself within about three months, or your eye surgeon might decide to reposition the flap so that it will heal smoothly.

When you have your LASIK vision correction, your eye surgeon will give you printed instructions for self-care during recovery. It is in your best interests to follow them to the letter. Your recovery can then be faster and smoother and you will achieve dramatically clearer vision.

To find a well-qualified LASIK surgeon in your area, please visit our Eye Surgeon Directory today.